Dark clouds roll by as people arrive at the departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on September 4, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) -- The San Miguel-led New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation has officially taken over the operations of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). 

"Today, we are finally doing what the government has wanted to do since the 1990s -- to use public-private partnership (PPP) in enabling a private operator to manage the operations and maintenance of NAIA and make it truly world-class. We wish NNIC much success," Transportation chief Jose C. Ines said in a statement released Saturday.

"A world-class airport means more jobs, more tourists and a much more stronger and prosperous Philippines," NNIC Chairman Ramon S. Ang said during the handover ceremony at the NAIA Terminal 3 late Friday night. 

San Miguel consortium wins bid to rehabilitate NAIA

NNIC earlier vowed improvements at the country's main gateway, targeting upgrades to the airport's facilities within the next 3 to 12 months and improving overall passenger experience. 

The modernization project aims to nearly double the airport's passengers from 35 million to 62 million, while generating around 58,000 more jobs. 

"Among the improvements in NAIA which the passengers and other stakeholders can expect include expansion of the Passenger Terminal Buildings (PTBs), additional aircraft parking bays, increase in vehicular parking slots, installation of world-class systems and technology, more food and beverage (F&B) and retail options, more convenient land transport connectivity, among others. Furthermore, flight delays and cancellations due issues with airport facilities are expected to be significantly reduced," the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said in a statement. 

The partnership will last 15 years and could be extendable for another 10. NNIC will invest approximately P144 billion in the project.  

"The baton has been passed and now it is our turn in NNIC to carry it forward to the finish line," NNIC General Manager Lito Alvarez said. 

The project, however, has sparked worries from airport employees affected by the privatization, and from passengers worried about higher travel costs coming from the project.  

Airlines eye consultations on travel cost 'adjustments' with NAIA privatization

Authorities assured that these employees will be incentivized and be handed out salary increases during the process. MIAA spokesperson Atty. Chris Bendijo said around 400 of the employees have signed their contracts with NNIC, with thousands "yet to be transferred." 

The consortium, consisting of  San Miguel Holdings, RMM Asian Logistics, RLW Aviation Development, and Incheon International Airport Corporation, won the bid to rehabilitate NAIA in January, vowing to transform it into a world-class airport after years of being plagued with problems.

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